Despite becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing economies following the discovery of offshore oil reserves, Guyana continues to experience one of the highest rates of skilled emigration in the world, according to the 2026 Democracy and Development Report released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report places Guyana 12th globally for brain drain and fourth in Latin America and the Caribbean, behind only Haiti, Jamaica, and one other regional nation. Guyana recorded a human capital loss score of 8.2 out of 10 in 2023, the highest in South America and significantly above neighboring countries such as Venezuela and Suriname.
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The findings suggest that nearly 90 percent of Guyanese with tertiary education eventually migrate, primarily to North America and other developed economies, in search of better professional opportunities and improved quality of life.
Economic Growth Not Translating into Human Development
Guyana’s economy has expanded rapidly in recent years due to oil production, but the report indicates that many citizens have not experienced corresponding improvements in healthcare, public services, and social protections.
According to the UNDP, the country’s relative political stability and access to legal migration channels have enabled large numbers of skilled professionals to leave, effectively reducing domestic capacity even as gross domestic product continues to rise.
The report notes that this trend is especially pronounced among healthcare workers, teachers, and public servants.
Healthcare and Quality of Life Driving Emigration
Data cited from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) show that Guyana and Haiti have the shortest life expectancy in the Caribbean, with averages ranging between 66 and 76 years, below the regional average of 77.8 years.
The UNDP suggests that shortcomings in healthcare and social infrastructure are major factors influencing decisions to emigrate.
For many professionals, migration is viewed not as a response to conflict, but as a rational choice in pursuit of better living and working conditions.
Longstanding Concerns Over Talent Loss
In June 2024, the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) urged the government to “stop the brain drain, put people over profits,” calling for greater investment in public servants and improved working conditions.
Earlier reporting by Kaieteur News cited World Bank data indicating that approximately 39 percent of Guyanese citizens live abroad, while a substantial share of those with tertiary education have migrated to the United States.
Migration Creates a “Revolving Door” Effect
The report also highlights a demographic paradox.
While large numbers of educated Guyanese are leaving, the country has become a destination for thousands of migrants fleeing the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela.
Although the government has used regional frameworks to regularize many arrivals, both migrants and local residents continue to face difficulties accessing healthcare, housing, and social services.
The UNDP warns that this dynamic places additional pressure on already strained institutions.
Democratic and Institutional Risks
The report concludes that the ongoing loss of skilled professionals is both a symptom and a contributor to deeper institutional weaknesses.
As trained citizens leave, the country loses technical expertise and oversight capacity needed to effectively manage its oil wealth and strengthen democratic governance.
Without significant investment in human capital and social development, the UNDP warns that Guyana risks sustaining rapid economic growth without building the institutional foundation necessary for long-term prosperity and stability.
